Have sermons always been this dull? And do we need to be more careful about what we sing?
In my first appointment at one of my five churches when it came to the sermon Brian would close his eyes and to all intents and purposes he looked asleep. Not very encouraging for a young minister but it turned out he closed his eyes so he could concentrate on the sermon. I think if I tried that in my current worshipping context I would soon be asleep!!! Over these past three years I have observed the body language of those around me, and you soon pick up how people can appear to be listening but the mood tells you they have switched off, though alert enough to know when to smile or laugh at some inane joke. Some preachers barely look at the congregation so it's not surprising they fail to see they are not connecting. For some it's clear the homily is just something to be done or got through so they can get onto the communion. Of course it's different now being on the other side of the lectern/pulpit after so many years as the preacher, but I don't have a burning desi...